Top 10 Low Maintainance House Plants

My irregular lifestyle has taught me very little save for the power of the humble house plant. House plants bring,an energy, freshness and life to a home.

If you travel or work away from home frequently or have a holiday house house plants can feel like an expensive way of creating compost. Despite the challenge of infrequent watering and care there are many stunning houseplants that can not only survive but flurrish in neglect.

For my home at Ysgubor Degwm I knew that despite my chaotic lifestyle and natural forgetfulness house plants were essential to making the barn feel like home. With the help of Anna from Plant Pet Club a small jungle is forming and thriving.

ONE: MONSTERA DELICIOSA

Monstera Deliciosa or Swiss Chees Plant is a large statement plant that I have learned is not too fussy. The large, glossy, distinclive leaves are remarkably forgiving.

Monstera needs lots of space: Put it in a statement-making spot in the living room, rather than in a tight corner or on a windowsill.

Water Monstera moderately and evenly, biweekly. Wait until the soil is fairly dry before watering again.

TWO: SANSEVIERIAS

Sansevierias or Snake Plant can survive pretty much everything.

Sansevierias do best in moderate to bright indirect light. However, they will do fine in low light areas and can also withstand full sun.

Your Sansevieria does not need much water, and overwatering can cause the plant to rot. Be sure to keep the leaves dry when watering and allow the soil to dry in between waterings. Reduce watering down to once a month during the winter.

THREE: ZZ PLANT

Zamioculcas Zamiifolia or ZZ plant is perfect for bringing life to darker corners. Bright light is good but not essential. The ZZ grows fine with low levels of light, but it's best to avoid direct sunlight. Allow the soil to become dry at the top to the touch between watering and do not over water. It's best to water this plant less than too much because over-watering can cause stem and rhizome rot.

All parts of this plant are said to be toxic if ingested by children, cats and dogs.

FOUR: MARANTA TRICOLOUR

Maranta Tricolour - for bathrooms and smaller rooms - low plant, but a fast grower, which spreads sideways or trailing down.

Light shade in summer. Brighter in winter but keep out of direct sun, this will dull the colour of the leaves, and could be fatal!

Keep well watered in summer, Maranta loves high humidity mist when you can and keep the compost moist in the summer. Brown tips show that the humidity is too low. Feed with a very weak solution when you water.

FIVE: PONYTAIL PALM Ponytail Palm is perfect for direct sun spots.. Very draught resistant. Ponytail palms prefer to have as much light as possible, so place the plant in a bright location. Bright, indirect sunlight is best.

Keep soil fairly dry. Water when the top inch or two of soil to dry completely. During the winter, only water monthly. To water, soak the soil and allow the excess water to drain through the bottom of the pot into a dish. Let the pot sit in the dish for several minutes, then dump any remaining water in the dish. 

SIX: PHILODENDRON BRASIL

Philodendron Brasil or Sweatheart Plant is an easy, fast growing trailing plant. Best in medium light the Sweatheart Plant can tolerate bright indirect sunlight.

Keep the soil moist at all times. Allow the top of the soil to dry out slightly before re-watering. Will tolerate some degree of drought better than having its roots too wet. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to remove accumulated dust.

Purifies the atmosphere and they are part of our clean air plant collection.

SEVEN: FIREFLASH

Chlorophytum Orchidastrum 'Fire Flash' or Mandarin PLant is quite bright and draught resistant.

The Fire Flash likes bright indirect light to part shade but no direct sunlight . These plants like their soil to be kept moist but not soggy. As a subtropical plant, they like an environment with high humidity, so please occasional misting is benificial.

Fertilise me once a month in spring and summer.

EIGHT: CACTUS

The Cactus appreciates a warm, dry environment with minimal water, and plenty of light. This desert beauty will thrive in high light conditions, so placing it in a window where it will receive direct sunlight is ideal — preferably a southern or western facing window, as they are typically the brightest.

Withhold water from the plant for about four weeks in January or February to encourage new growth in the warmer seasons.

NINE: PEACE LILY

When it comes to watering, consistency is key. Keep the soil moist, but do not overwater. Peace lilies can tolerate short periods of dry soil, but their leaves will start to brown if neglected for too long.

Peace lilies are sensitive to chemicals commonly found in tap water, which may cause brown leaf tips. Use filtered, room-temperature water, if possible. 

Peace lilies enjoy high humidity. Misting their leaves or placing their pot atop a moistened tray of gravel can help to increase humidity around the plant. 

TEN: DRACAENA MARGINATA

Dracaena Marginata like nice bright light but no direct sun.  On the other hand, keep it out of low light areas – no dark corners.

Water when the top 2-3” of the soil is dry every 2 weeks maybe a little more often if it’s really warm. Water less in the winter. These plants grow much slower in the cooler, darker months and need a little rest time.

GENERAL TIP ON FERTILIZING

Houseplants appreciate a little food once or twice a year. People over-fertilize their plants which is worse than not doing it all.  I would recommend Organics Rx Indoor Plant Food or Superthrive (this is not certified organic but it’s natural).  Be sure to sure them at the recommended strength because if you up the ante, you’ll burn the poor babies.

Getting the perfect plants and the perfect pots for your home is simple. I use www.mustardandgray.com who offer a nice range in good sized house plant posts.